H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, has issued an administrative resolution bringing the Sharjah Child Friendly Office, SCFO, a government entity committed to protecting and elevating the rights of children and youth in Sharjah, under the purview of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.Under the directives of the new resolution, SCFO will also relocate its office to the headquarters of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. Established in 2000, the Supreme Council consists of several social and cultural departments tasked with the protection of the family and the care and rehabilitation of its members.This step reflects the vision and commitment of Sheikha Jawaher to prioritise the wellbeing and development of children and improve their future by safeguarding their rights in accordance with the highest international standards and guidelines. It also aims to bolster Sharjah’s position as a pioneer in providing support, care, and quality services to children of all ages.The new resolution will facilitate collaboration between SCFO and other affiliates of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, enabling the office to seamlessly implement joint plans and initiatives with relevant entities and partners operating under the parent organisation. The move paves the way for greater inter-governmental communication and effective exchange of experience and expertise.The resolution further supports the Supreme Council’s mission and objectives, which include setting and implementing policies for enhancing social development by conducting field surveys and research, providing a safe and stable environment for families, and instilling values of social consciousness amongst families.Several social development, family and cultural entities operate under the umbrella of the Council.It was the ‘Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign’, launched in 2011 and which aimed to encourage breastfeeding in the emirate, that led the way forward for the establishment of SCFO. In 2016, under the directions of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the patronage of his wife Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher, the Sharjah Child Friendly Office was established with a more inclusive and holistic approach towards protecting children and young people of all age groups.SCFO’s mission includes setting and implementing plans and strategies to support the protection of children and young adults in the emirate in collaboration with relevant entities and government departments.The Office is currently implementing two projects: the ‘Sharjah Child Friendly City’ project, part of UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, and the ‘Sharjah Baby and Family Friendly City’ project which aims to focus on children’s development and strategically empower parents, families, and caregivers and promote family-friendly policies and practices.